Dover will be aiming to bounce back from Tuesday night’s defeat at Eastleigh when they travel to Stonebridge Road for Bank Holiday Monday’s clash between two the play-off contenders.
Daryl McMahon’s Fleet are currently seven points behind Athletic in the standings with two games in hand, but visiting manager Chris Kinnear will be in confident mood with his side unbeaten in four league matches against United.
And travelling fans might recognise a few familiar faces on show on Monday.
Both defender Sam Magri – ruled out for the season through injury – and midfielder Dean Rance both played for Whites featuring 86 and 42 times respectively.
And manager McMahon played 28 games for Athletic during the 2012/13 season.
EBBSFLEET’S RECENT FORM
24/03/18: EBBSFLEET 1-1 MAIDENHEAD
Harry Pritchard’s late equaliser denied Fleet the three points at Stonebridge Road.
The midfielder fired home nine minutes from time after Nathan Ashmore had kept the visitors at bay with a string of fine saves.
After Luke Coulson scored from 25-yards early on to put Daryl McMahon’s side in front, home stopper Ashmore was soon at full stretch to deny Sam Barratt.
And Moses Emmanuel was unable to convert Barrett’s cross with the goal at his mercy.
Emmanuel was denied by Ashmore’s fingertipped save, but the away side secured a deserved point thanks to Pritchard’s neat finish.
PREVIOUS MEETING
28/08/17: DOVER 1-1 EBBSFLEET
Ryan Bird’s first half header was not enough for Whites to take all three points in a draw with Kent rivals Ebbsfleet at Crabble on Bank Holiday Monday.
The big striker powered home Mitch Pinnock’s cross on 17 minutes, but United fought back to level through Darren McQueen’s volley.
Bagasan Graham strode forward and fired a low effort straight at Mitch Walker as the visitors registered the match’s first shot on target on the quarter-hour mark.
Athletic were ahead moments later and Danny Kedwell nearly equalised shortly after, smashing Myles Weston’s cross narrowly wide.
The home pressure continued with Tobi Sho-Silva evading attention on the right-wing and passing into the box, but both Bird’s and Pinnock’s attempts were too weak to trouble Nathan Ashmore in the away goal.
The burly stopper then had to scurry back to his goalline to stop Mitch Brundle’s audacious 70-yard effort from going in.
It was all square in the 76th minute, McQueen out-muscled Femi Ilesanmi to latch onto Kedwell’s flick and fire past a helpless Walker.
And the visitors almost took the lead as Jack Powell headed over substitute Sean Shields’ cross.
Brundle tried to win the game late on, but curled his free-kick into Ashmore’s arms.
OTHER MEETINGS
10/05/14: Ebbsfleet 0-1 Dover
28/12/13: Ebbsfleet 0-2 Dover
20/08/13: Dover 2-1 Ebbsfleet
TEAM COLOURS
For those wanting to show the same colours as the players, captain Mitch Brundle and his teammates will be wearing their blue ones.
TICKET NEWS
Prices are as follows:
Adults: £14
Over 60s / Students (ID Required): £11
Ages 12-16: £6
Under 12s: Free (With an accompanying adult)
COVERAGE
The game starts at 3pm but if you are unable to make the trip, we will have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens!
Coverage starts from 2pm.
MONDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES
ALDERSHOT TOWN V EASTLEIGH
BARROW V AFC FYLDE
DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE V MAIDSTONE UNITED
FC HALIFAX TOWN V GATESHEAD
HARTLEPOOL UNITED V GUISELEY
LEYTON ORIENT V MAIDENHEAD UNITED
MACCLESFIELD TOWN V CHESTER
SUTTON UNITED V BROMLEY
TORQUAY UNITED V WOKING
TRANMERE ROVERS V SOLIHULL MOORS
WREXHAM V BOREHAM WOOD
AWAY TRAVEL
There is a coach travelling to Maidenhead on Saturday 14th April and it is not too late to book your space on it.
It leaves Crabble at 11:15am and the costs are as follows:
Adult members £20, adult non-members £35 and accompanied child (Under 16) £10.
There is also a coach going to Woking at 9:15am and the prices are:
Adult members £15, adult non-members £30 and accompanied child (Under 16) £10
Please call or text Andy on 0793 4300335 to book your seat, or see him in the Centre Spot after the game against Torquay.
Please note you are now required to pay for your seat in advance by cash or via bank transfer.